# README for Replication Data for: The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning: Secondary Trauma in Political Science Internships


## 1. Dataset Title

[Replication Data for: The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning: Secondary Trauma in Political Science Internships]


## 2. Authors and Contact
- **Authors, Contact Emails, ORCID:** 

Marty P. Jordan  
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Michigan State University 
Email: jordan61@msu.edu 
ORCiD: 0000-0002-4255-0110

Elinor R. Jordan
Public Benefits Attorney
Michigan Poverty Law Program
Email: ejordan@mplp.org

Lauren S. Foley
Associate Professor
Department of Political Science
Western Michigan University
Email: lauren.foley@wmich.edu  
ORCiD: 0000-0003-4641-1545   


## 3. Date
- **Data Collected:** [January to September 2024]
- **Dataset Published on Dataverse:** [2025-06-05]


## 4. Abstract 
[Abstract: Public service internships are a staple in contemporary political science curricula. Research shows that internships produce better thinkers, employees, and citizens. Yet political science interns are on the front lines in observing the firsthand trauma, stress, and mental health challenges of many people seeking support and services from the government. In turn, students may internalize this stress and trauma, a phenomenon recognized as secondary traumatic stress (STS). This study addresses a significant gap in the discipline’s understanding of the frequency and severity of STS experienced by political science interns in their fieldwork. We rely on surveys and written assessments from students enrolled in internship courses at two public universities. We find that interns report increased exposure to STS at the end of the semester. Furthermore, STS vulnerability varies among interns, with higher incidence rates among those with a history of primary trauma, older students, and women. We outline coping strategies for students, propose adaptations to experiential learning to enhance support, and emphasize the need for further research on this issue.]


## 5. Files Included
| Filename | Description | File Type |
|----------|-------------|-----------|
| `secondary_trauma_ps_replication.xlsx` | Main dataset | Excel |
| `Variable Codebook for The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning.pdf` | Variable codebook including variable names, labels, and values | PDF |
| `secondary_trauma_ps_replication.do` | Stata analysis code | DO |
| `Online Sup. Material for The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning.pdf` | Includes survey script used for data collection | PDF |


## 6. Methodology
- **Data Collection Method:** [pre and post survey of undergrad/graduate political science students completing public service internships across two Midwestern public universities. Students were asked to watch a 25-minute lecture about secondary traumatic stress (STS), its effects, and strategies to cope with or mitigate such empathy-based stress. Then, students penned a journal reflection documenting their qualitative exposure to secondary trauma during their internship and their proposed action plan to deal with resultant stress and feelings of helplessness.]


## 7. Variable Descriptions 
- See Variable Codebook for The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning.pdf


## 8. Software and Format Notes
- **Data Format(s):** [XLSX, DO, PDF]
- **Recommended Software:** [Stata, Excel, PDF Reader]


## 9. Confidentiality / Anonymization
- **Confidentiality / Anonymization:** [Any variables that might violate respondent privacy or lead to identifying respondents have been removed from the dataset that is made publicly available.]


## 10. Citation
- **Suggested Citation:** [Jordan, Marty, 2025, “Replication Data for: The Unseen Scars of Experiential Learning: Secondary Trauma in Political Science Internships,” https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/GWC8I8, Harvard Dataverse, V1.]


## 11. Version History
- **v1.0 (2025-06-05):** Initial release